WORK WITH THE ATELIER

Custom projects

Sanctuary Atelier offers bespoke natural dyeing for individuals, artists, designers and spaces - from one-off pieces to small textile runs and custom colour development.

Every project begins with the material and an idea. From there, we explore what plants, pigments and processes can bring to it.

WHAT CAN BE CREATED

Made to order, naturally

Natural colour can become part of many different objects and environments. You may already have a textile you would like transformed, or you may come with little more than a colour, feeling or idea.

Custom projects can include:

  • Garments and existing pieces
  • Scarves, bandanas and accessories
  • Fabric and yardage
  • Curtains, table linens and other interior textiles
  • Textile pieces for artists and designers
  • Small runs for brands or events
  • Bespoke colour palettes and colour development
  • Naturally dyed materials for artworks or installations

Because natural dyes behave differently on every fibre, each project is considered individually.

→ Start a project

THE COLOUR

Colour that begins with nature

Natural colour isn't selected from a standard colour chart. It is developed through a relationship between plant, fibre, water, mordant, temperature, pH and time.

You can come to the atelier with a particular colour direction, an existing object, an image, a landscape or simply a feeling you would like to translate into colour.

From there, I develop a palette using botanical dyes and processes suited to your material.

The result may carry subtle variation, tonal movement and traces of the dye process. Rather than imperfections, these are part of what makes naturally dyed pieces unique.

01

Tell me about your project

Share what you would like to create, the material, quantity, colour direction and intended use. Images, references and moodboards are always welcome.

02

Material & colour direction

I assess the fibre and project requirements and propose suitable dyes, techniques and a colour direction.

03

Sampling

For projects where colour needs to be developed specifically, small samples can be created before moving into the final piece or production.

04

Dyeing

Each piece is prepared, mordanted and dyed in the atelier using the processes developed for your project.

BRING YOUR OWN PIECES

Have something you would like dyed?

You can also bring an existing garment, textile or object to the atelier for consideration.

Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, silk and wool generally respond best to botanical dyes. Fibre composition, previous treatments, finishes, stitching and the existing colour of a piece can all influence the final result.

Before accepting a piece, I will assess whether it is suitable for the desired process and discuss what can realistically be achieved.

→ Enquire about a piece